Tooth-cleaning device



April 12, 1927.

B. KUHNE TOOTH CLEANING DEVICE.

Filed Dec. 2 1925 Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,624,0 5.54 Pa'rENrogFFIcE.

BEAT KUHNE, OF LEVJISTOWN, MONTANA.

TOOTH-CLEANING DEVICE.

Application filed. December 28, 1925. Serial No. 77,982.

The present invention relates to improvements in tooth cleaning devices, and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved device of this character which may be effectively used both for removing food particles from between the teeth, as well as for cleaning the exposed faces of the teeth.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the character de scribed embodying a substantially sheet like cleaning member formed of vulcanized rub her or other suitably flexible and elastic material, and with the cleaning member so carried by a suitable holder as to permit of the cleaning member readily conforming to the irregular contour of the exposed faces of the teeth.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the provision of an improved tooth cleaning device Which is simple and cheap in construction, one which will not injure the enamel of the teeth when being used, and

one wherein the cleaning member is readily removable from the handle portion of the device. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the holder 01 removably receiving the cleaning mem- Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cleaning member.

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. the letter A may designate a holder, B the cleaning member, and C means for detachably securing the member E in adjusted position upon the holder A.

The holder A which may be formed of any desirable material, embodies a handle portion 10 having a head 11 formed at one end thereof. Extending longitudinally of the head 11, is a flaring key 12 which preferably terminates flush with the forward end of the holder A. This key 12 as will be readily observed from Figure 3, is substantially dove tail shape in cross section, providing a flat under surface 13. Formed at the inner or rear end of the key 12, are stops 1 1 for limiting sliding movement of the cleaner B upon the key.

Referring now to the cleaning member B, and which is preferably formed of a material such as vulcanized rubber or other material of this character embodying flexible and elastic properties, the same embodies a head portion 15 having its side or longitudinal faces merging into a sheet like scraper portion 16. Formed at'each end of the head portion 15, and extending upwardly from the top flat face 17 of the head, are tongues 18 which incline toward one another for providing substantially V shaped sockets 19 at eachend of the head; As will be apparent from Figure 4, these tongues 18 extend flush with the ends of the cleaning member.

The cleaning member B is adapted to be slid upon the key 12 with the tongues 18 embracing the flaring sides of the key and with the tongues at one end of the cleaner abutting against the stops 14 for limiting the sliding movement of the-cleaner toward. the handle 10. After the cleaner has been positioned upon the key 12, the latch 20, pivotally secured to the forward end of the head-11 as by a pin 21, may be swung downwardly across the forward end of the key for preventing sliding movement of the member upon the key. Thus it will be seen that the stops 14 and latch 20 provides a simple and effective means for preventing longitudinal shifting of the member B upon the holder A.

It will here be observed that by so attaching the cleaning member B merely at its ends to the key 12, the intermediate portion of the cleaner is capable of flexing transversely of the key and thus permit of the sheet like scraper portion 16 readily conforming to the irregular contour of the exposed surfaces of the teeth.

In use, it will be seen that the flexible sheet like scraper portion 16 may be readily drawn between the teeth for removing any food particles which may have become lodged between the teeth, and which sheet like portion may be effectively used for scraping accumulated matter from the faces of the teeth without liability of injury to the enamel. removable from the holder A, not only permits of the substitution oi new cleaning members, but also permits of the cleaner being readily removed from the holder when desiring to merely grasp the cleaner in the fingers "for cleaning the teeth.

\Vhile the cleaner has been shown as be ing detachably carried by the holder A, it is to be understood that it so desired, the holder and cleaning member may be formed as a unit, the holder being formed of a material such as the cleaner is made of. It will also be apparent that if so desired, the cleaning member B may be disposed transversely of the holder.

Various minor changes may be made to the specific form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A tooth cleaning device comprising .a holder embodying a head, a flaring key formed on said head, a cleaning member formed of elastic material, slidably fitting on said key, and means for preventing shitting of the cleaning member longitudinally of said key.

2. A tooth cleaning device comprising a holder embodying a handle portion and a head formed at one end of the handle, a key formed on-said head in longitudinal relation to said handle, stops formed at the inner end of said key, a cleaning member formed of flexible material. slidable on said key and engaging said stops, and means carried by the forward end of the head for preventing removal of the cleaning member from the head.

3.. A tooth cleaning device comprising a holder, aflaring key formed atone end of the holder, stops formed at one end of said key, a cleaning member formed of flexible material, slid-able on said key and engaging said stops at one end, and means carried by the holder and movable across the opposite end of said key for preventing longitudinal shifting of the cleaning member on said key.

4. In a device of the class described, a holder, a 'fiexible cleaning member embodying a head portion and asheet like scraper portion, and means for securing the opposite ends of said head portion to the holder for permitting flexing of the intermediate portion of the cleaner transversely of the holder.

5. A device of the class described comprising a holder embodying a handle portion having a head formed at one end thereof, a flaring key extending longitudinally of said head, stops formed at the inner end of said key, a flexible cleaning member embodying a head portion and a sheet like scraper portion, tongues carried by each end of the head portion and providing V shaped sockets at opposite ends of the head portion. said sockets adapted to receive the key of said head for securing the opposite ends of the cleaning member to said head, and a latch pivotally carried by the forward end of the head and movable across the forward end of said key.

BEAT KUHNE. 

